# Connect Claude and ElevenLabs

> Step-by-step, for people new to Terminal - install Claude Code and sign in with your Claude plan, or use an Anthropic API key, and create an ElevenLabs API key.

Source: https://demovexa.com/docs/getting-started/connect

DemoVexa uses two services through your own accounts: **Claude** writes the scripts and builds the videos, and **ElevenLabs** records the voiceovers. This page walks through connecting both, one click at a time. The same guides are in the app: press **Step-by-step guide** in setup, or **Guide** in **Settings → Claude** and **Settings → ElevenLabs**.

## Claude: with your Claude login

Use this if you have a **Claude Pro or Max** plan. It's a one-time setup in Terminal (PowerShell on Windows).

1. **Open Terminal.**
   - Mac: press <kbd>⌘</kbd> <kbd>Space</kbd>, type **Terminal** and press <kbd>Return</kbd>.
   - Windows: press the <kbd>Windows</kbd> key, type **PowerShell** and press <kbd>Enter</kbd> (no need to run it as administrator).
   - Linux: press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> <kbd>Alt</kbd> <kbd>T</kbd>.
2. **Install Claude Code.** Paste this and press <kbd>Return</kbd> / <kbd>Enter</kbd>. It takes about a minute.

   Mac and Linux:

   ```bash
   curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
   ```

   Windows (PowerShell):

   ```powershell
   irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
   ```

3. **Sign in.** Type `claude` and press <kbd>Return</kbd>. If it asks how to sign in, choose **Claude account with subscription**. Your browser opens: sign in with the account that has your Pro or Max plan and click **Authorize**. When Terminal says you're signed in, type `/exit` or close the window.
4. **Test it.** Back in DemoVexa, press **Test Claude**. It should say *Claude answered … via your Claude login*.

### If something goes wrong

| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| `command not found: claude` | Close Terminal, open a new window and type `claude` again: new windows pick up the newly installed command. |
| Windows: *running scripts is disabled on this system* | Run `Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned` once in PowerShell, then the install command again. |
| The browser didn't open | Terminal shows a link: copy it into your browser, sign in, and paste the code it gives you back into Terminal. |
| Signed in with the wrong account | Run `claude auth logout`, then `claude` again. |
| *Claude Code needs a plan* | Claude Code needs a Pro or Max plan (claude.ai → Settings → Billing), or use an API key instead. |
| DemoVexa says Claude is signed out | Run `claude auth login` in Terminal, then press **Check again** in DemoVexa. |

## Claude: with an Anthropic API key

Use this to sell videos to clients or share the studio with a team: every call is billed to the key.

1. Sign in at [console.anthropic.com](https://console.anthropic.com/) (an account separate from a claude.ai plan).
2. **Settings → Billing**: add a card and buy some credit.
3. **API keys → Create key**, name it **DemoVexa**, click **Create**, then **Copy**. The key is shown only once.
4. In DemoVexa, choose **Anthropic API key**, paste the key and click **Save**.
5. Install Claude Code as in steps 1 and 2 above: it builds the animations using the key (no sign-in needed).
6. Press **Test Claude**.

## ElevenLabs

1. Sign in or sign up at [elevenlabs.io](https://elevenlabs.io/). For videos you publish, choose a paid plan (**Starter** or higher): the free plan isn't for commercial use.
2. Click your profile at the bottom left → **Developers** → **API keys** ([direct link](https://elevenlabs.io/app/developers/api-keys)).
3. Click **Create API key** and name it **DemoVexa**. Leave it unrestricted, or if you restrict it, allow **Text to Speech**, **Voices** (read and write) and **User** (read, so DemoVexa can show the characters you have left). Click **Create**, then **Copy**: the key is shown only once.
4. In DemoVexa, paste it into **ElevenLabs API key**, click **Save**, then **Test ElevenLabs**. It should say *Connected* with how many voices you have.

| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| *The key was rejected* | It was copied only partly, or deleted in ElevenLabs. Create a new key and paste it again. |
| Characters left doesn't show | The key can't read your account (the **User** permission). Voiceovers still work. |
| Out of characters | Upgrade in ElevenLabs, or wait for the monthly reset shown in **Settings → ElevenLabs**. |

## Next

- [First-run setup](/docs/getting-started/first-run)
- [Make your first video](/docs/getting-started/first-video)